Chapter 30: Turmoil at the Xu Estate

"Miss, you seem to have frightened the Madam and the concubine."

They both looked dazed when they left; could something be wrong?

As soon as Madam Qiu and Concubine Meng departed, Liuxu closed the door.

"Keep a close watch these next two days. Regardless of who it is, if anyone dares to force their way into this courtyard without my permission, deal with them directly. Also, investigate what Xu Guodong has been doing during his tenure all these years."

A man like him—clearly unfit for his position, lacking both the financial resources and a strong backing—had managed to remain in the post of Censor-in-Chief for so many years. She had previously assumed it was due to the Qiu family, but thinking it over now, that wasn't the case. Although it was only a fifth-rank position, given Xu Guodong’s circumstances, it was nothing short of a miracle.

"Rest assured, Miss, I will keep watch. Was your suggestion today that Madam Qiu seek a divorce because you suspect Xu Guodong of something and fear being implicated?"

Zhao Jiao nodded and sighed helplessly: "I need a status to establish myself, but I don't want to be dragged into trouble. Yet, as I am now Xu Jiaojiao, I cannot avoid it. This was the only way I could think of for the time being. I am currently registered under Madam Qiu’s name, and she is a kind and sensible person. It is clear that she has long been disillusioned and utterly disappointed in Xu Guodong. A divorce would be a liberation for her! As for Concubine Meng, she was originally brought in by Madam Qiu for Xu Guodong, and her contract is in Madam Qiu’s hands. If Madam Qiu divorces Xu Guodong, she can simply follow Madam Qiu without any issues. By then, I can naturally follow suit and sever ties with Xu Guodong."

Of course, the most important thing was to have a peaceful life; otherwise, she lacked the energy to deal with them every day. Just thinking about Xu Guodong, the old Madam, and some Concubine Qiu gave her a splitting headache.

Liuxu didn't fully grasp the intricacies of household affairs, but she knew that for a woman, divorce was no simple matter.

"Miss, will Madam Qiu actually go through with the divorce?"

For a woman to seek a divorce was an earth-shattering event.

Zhao Jiao rested her head on her hand and smiled confidently: "I said what needed to be said. She is a sensible woman; for the sake of her son, she will do it! Things may not go smoothly, but that doesn't matter. We can help her along."

"Understood. If you wish for it, Miss, then it is as good as done."

Zhao Jiao didn't continue the topic. She set her hand down, turned to the stack of papers on the table, and began to read. Her expression gradually turned cold.

"Liuxu, look at these characters written as 'Zhao'."

Liuxu was puzzled but obediently took them and examined them carefully.

The more she looked, the uglier her expression became. "Miss... this handwriting..."

"Does it look a bit like mine? Some are even identical, almost indistinguishable. You said that you and Old Man Duan only rushed back to the capital after receiving my letters. Feng Yu'er grew up with me, learning to read and write by my side. When I was punished by our teacher, she would copy books for me... she could often deceive the teacher by imitating my handwriting..."

Zhao Jiao’s voice was icy. Her hand on the table clenched into a fist.

"Does Miss suspect her? Damn her!"

Liuxu was livid; Feng Yu'er was an ungrateful wretch!

"Whether it is her or not, she certainly played a part in the events of that year. Moreover, she is still useful to Yin Ling, otherwise, he wouldn't keep her around. By the way, does her father still serve in the military?"

Mentioning him made Liuxu even angrier: "Yes! That traitor..."

"Let me sort this out properly. There is no rush. Every debt will be settled with them one by one!"

Zhao Jiao slumped over the table, lost in thought. She needed peace and quiet to organize her mind and figure out where to start settling these scores.

Seeing this, Liuxu silently retreated.

Without Zhao Jiao’s summons, Yunxiang stood guard faithfully outside the door.

She was also frightened; her Miss had actually urged the Madam to divorce the Master...

One could only imagine the state Madam Qiu was in now.

Back in her own room, Madam Qiu sat with a vacant expression.

"Madam..."

Madam Qiu slowly looked up. "Nanny, I’ve been thinking the whole way back... what have I been striving for all these years? I thought, at my age, I could just muddle through somehow. But even if I can muddle through, what about my Ting'er? With a father like that, what will happen to his marriage and his future?"

The nanny felt heartache for her mistress, but divorce... unless it was a last resort, what woman would choose that path?

"Madam, the Fifth Miss is young and may not have considered the long-term consequences. Her suggestion to divorce might be an impulsive act. Besides, would the Master even agree?"

Hearing the word "Master," Madam Qiu’s expression darkened.

"If I am determined to divorce, he will have to agree, whether he wants to or not. If it truly comes to tearing the mask off, I am not so easily bullied!"

"Madam, please calm down. You are just saying that out of anger."

Madam Qiu shook her head, appearing composed.

"Nanny, I am not speaking out of anger. In fact... I have thought about it in my heart for a long time; it’s just that the Fifth girl voiced it today. You have seen it over the years... he has become increasingly disappointing. After my father retired and returned home, he showed his true colors. The Fifth girl is right. If he brings those people back, there will be no peace in this house. And look at Xu Guodong—he could heartlessly sell the Fifth girl for five thousand taels... the more I think about it, the more terrified I become..."

"Madam..."

The nanny wanted to comfort her but didn't know how to start.

Madam Qiu raised her hand, signaling the nanny to stop.

"...Nanny, I don't think the Fifth girl was being impulsive. She must have had a reason for saying it! That girl is truly remarkable now... Think about it, she produced five thousand taels just like that. Perhaps she really does have a great future ahead of her!"

"Is Madam suggesting the Prince of Su? Was the money from him?" He certainly wasn't stingy.

"Some men are only good with sweet words, but only when they are willing to spend such a large sum of silver can you see their sincerity. This five thousand taels must have been given by the Prince of Su; otherwise, where would she get it? Tell me, do you think the Prince of Su told her something? Is Xu Guodong about to face trouble? Otherwise, why would she want her concubine and younger brother to leave the house with us?"

Madam Qiu was becoming anxious just thinking about it.

However, she was indeed sharp.

"No, Nanny, I must calm down and think this through carefully!"

Once a woman developed such thoughts, it meant she truly had reached the point of no longer wanting to endure.

In comparison, Concubine Meng was far less composed.

She returned to her quarters and sat in a daze for a long time.

Hehua didn't dare to make a sound, and the two of them sat in silence.

It wasn't until she heard the voice of Xu Yunjun that she regained her senses.

"Jun'er is back..."

"Concubine, I've called you several times. Concubine, I heard that Sister is back. I want to go see her."

Concubine Meng grabbed her son's arm and pulled him into an embrace.

"Alright, I will go with you."

She had made up her mind: if the Madam really divorced the Master, she was willing to take her son and daughter and follow the Madam!

Anyway... the Master had never been reliable, nor could she rely on him.

And as for the old Madam, there was no need to mention her. If the Madam left, could they even stay in this house?

Though Concubine Meng was timid and lacked initiative, it didn't mean she was stupid.

It’s just... could the Madam really divorce the Master?

She didn't dare to imagine that.

On the way there, Concubine Meng and her son saw Xu Guodong and the old Madam approaching aggressively.

Seeing the servants with clubs behind them, Concubine Meng’s pupils dilated in terror.

Coming to her senses, she immediately grabbed her son and whispered instructions: "Jun'er, quickly, go tell your sister to run! Tell her the Master is coming to beat her. I’m going to find the Madam!"

Concubine Meng didn't know where this sudden courage had come from.